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A lession in larval development


A lession in larval development
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter Roos (batu) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1019 W: 285 N: 3404] (11270)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-28
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus E1, Zuiko Digital 35mm f/3.5-22, Macro
Exposure: f/16, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-05 11:34
Viewed: 481
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In the development from egg to the adult butterfly or moth several larval stages are included. For many species the number of larval instars ranges from 4 to 6. the transformation from one stage to the next requires shedding of the larval skin including the chitinous head capsule.
The picture shows an unidentified moth larva shortly after moulting. The larva has prepared a silken 'carpet' (to the right) between two leafs for resting during transformation. Also on the right side of the picture, you can see the shedded old skin. Furthermore, the 'old head' is present. It is seen in the kink of the larva as a brown translucent structure. Comparing the old and the new head you can notice an increase in diameter. Indeed, the increase over the several larval instars follows a definite mathematical function for a given species or group of species.

The larva has been found between two leafs of a beech tree which were joined by the larva by silken strands so that it is protected against disturbances during transformation. In this stage the larvae are very vulnerable due to the still soft chitin.

- Length of the caterpillar: about 12 mm.
-Instar: possibly the second larval stage (concluded from the characters of the old head capsule)
- Species: not identified

In addition to the lens, an Olympus Digital EX-25 Extension tube was used.
- natural bright sunlight
- ISO 400
- hand-held

REFERENCES
* Scoble J.S. (1992) The Lepidoptera - Form, Function and Diversity. - Oxford University Press, New York.
wishnugaruda, ridvan, cicindela, parthasarathi, asiivalceni, jcoowanitwong, manyee, JORAPAVI, fartash, sily, Maite, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Peter,
das ist ja hochinteressant ...
Aus leeren Augen kuckt uns die Hülle noch an, schon ein wenig schaurig.
Du hattest einen guten Blick, Danke und Gruß
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 563 W: 0 N: 1148] (5188)
  • [2007-05-05 13:42]

hi peter; very good macro, excellent copm splendid colours, excellent details very nice lighting TFS
all the best
ridvan

Hello Peter!
Really amazing macro! I like lovely details, composition and light!
Thanks for showing this interesting presentation!
Greetings,
Radomir

Good job with proper details and note. If some body can identify the species we will be greatfull.

hallo peter..
Sher schones Bilder und auch ganz interesant..
l.g. ella;-)

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1812 W: 243 N: 5978] (21303)
  • [2007-05-05 16:15]

Hi Peter,
the macro is amazing!
It's so sharp and detailed.
Well done,
Joey

Hello Peter,
Thanks for the lesson. I like this educative note. The accompany illustration is perfect. Sharp and crystal clear. Great exposure and color saturation. Very well done and tfs.
JC

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3091 W: 234 N: 5896] (19880)
  • [2007-05-06 1:53]

Thank you for the very informative lesson, Peter.
Your shot shows very well all the things that you talked about.
Amazing details.
I like the translucent body of that particular caterpillar.
And what a brilliant green.
TFS. : )

Hola Peter,
Excelente toma, la nitidez sobresaliente, la luminosidad bonita y bien distribuida, hacen una foto magnífica. Gracias por compartirla. Saludos
José Ramón

Hello Peter,
Excellent shot of this Moth Larva,
Perfect compo,details and colors,
Great POV,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1003 W: 64 N: 1240] (5074)
  • [2007-05-07 10:14]

Not only a great macro but a very interesting capture of this larval stage!
I didn't know about that shedding of skin. Does it also occurs in furry caterpillars?
Gorgeous!
Congratulations and TFS.
Greetings
Maite

Hallo Peter,
ausgezeichnet detailreiches Makro, perfekt belichtet, reich an feinen Strukturen und Nuancen, herrlich ausgeleuchtet. Faszinierend der Kopf der alten Larvenhülle, der noch an der Flanke des weichen Räupchens klebt.
Klarer, instruktiver Text.
Mit bestem Dank und schönen Grüßen,
Peter

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